A BAG of mail has been found dumped in a Hampshire village - more than six weeks after it was supposed to be delivered.

The contents included a package of photographs of a couple's daughter taken when she was just a few hours old.

Other items included bank documents, Inland Revenue correspondence and a postcard from Abu Simbel in Egypt. Most were date- stamped in the last few days of November last year.

Royal Mail bosses believe the letters are part of a batch of post that was stolen almost two months ago.

The incident comes just days after a dozen pieces of mail - including an insurance pay-out of £3,000 - were found dumped in a pathway near Swanage Close, Peartree, Southampton, after a postman's bike was stolen.

The latest discovery was in Sarisbury - about a mile from the mail's intended destination in the village of Lowford, near Bursledon.

It was found by Clare Barker while she was out walking. It was soaking wet and covered in mud and leaves. Clare's husband Howard took the bag to their Sarisbury home and immediately called Royal Mail, who promised to arrange collection.

Almost a week later the bag has still not been collected.

"It is simply scandalous," he said.

"When I called Royal Mail customer services I told the woman that my wife had come across this dumped mail. She said she would arrange to have it collected.

"We didn't hear anything the next day and I thought: 'This isn't good enough.'

"On Friday I phoned Postwatch and was told they would send an e-mail to the Sarisbury Green pick-up area.

"I had expected them to pay me a visit and get this mail delivered to the recipients, but it is still sitting in my porch."

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "In all probability this mail was from a batch that was stolen at the end of last year and has subsequently been dumped.

"We will obviously be investigating the incident and ensuring that the mail is collected as soon as possible.

"We would also like to thank the customer who has taken this mail in."